PGGSS 8 contestants visit Genocide museum

Like they have done every year before heading into the competition, Primus Guma Guma Super Star contestants get involved is a series of humanitarian work and also participate in activities to commemorate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. This year, PGGSS Season 8 contestants visited the Campaign against Genocide Museum on Friday to understand the history of the Genocide and the struggle to liberate the country. The museum which is located at the parliamentary building, formerly known as Conseil National de Developpement (CND) tells the story of the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) military campaign to end the Genocide against the Tutsi. Part of the museum details the story the fight the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) fighters of the 3rd battalion (3Bn) who were at Parliament when they came under sustained gunfire from the then government troops that had surrounded the Parliament building. The 600-strong protection force responded by defending themselves and rescuing victims of Genocide in their vicinity following the order to stop genocide that was given by the then RPA Chairman of High Command Major General Paul Kagame. The museum also details how the RPA fighters conducted rescue missions to save the victims of Genocide across the country and defeated the genocidal forces. Young Grace, one of the contestants who visited the museum, said she learned a lot about the challenging journey it took for the RPA army to end Genocide, which claimed over a million people. She pointed out that from what she saw, her heart and mind went to those who were able to survive. “This is my first time tovisit this museum but I have learned a lot, including some details I had never heard before. We learn that the journey by RPA to end Genocide against the Tutsi was obviously a tough one from the very beginning and we should never take it for granted,” “This should leave a message to us, artistes, that we have a task to contribute in fighting Genocide ideology, through our music, to make sure it never happens again. We mourn with Genocide survivors and join them in this particular time. We have hope that the future is bright,” she said after the visit. According to Joseph Mushyoma, the CEO of East African Promoters (EAP), which organises the contest on behalf of BRALIRWA, there are more activities lined up over the next two weeks including visits to Genocide Memorials and providing support to Genocide survivors. Among other things, they will pay health insurance, locally known as Mutuelle de Sante, to identified groups of genocide survivors in Rubavu district. The roadshows for this year’s Primus Guma Guma Superstar are slated to kick off on May 26. The 10 contestants include Active, Khalfan, Bruce Melody, Christopher, Jay C, Just Family, Mico The Best, Queen Cha, Young Grace and Uncle Austin. Organized by Bralirwa, the annual contest pits the country’s top music talents against it each other for a grand prize of Rwf24m as well as many other benefits. Last year boy group Dream Boys emerged winners. Other previous winners include Urban Boys, Knowless Butera, Jay Polly, Riderman, King James and Tom Close.

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PGGSS 8 contestants visit Genocide museum